Saikou Janneh claims he now feels “wanted” after signing for League One side Cambridge United from Bristol City on a permanent contract.
Janneh has agreed a two-year deal at the Abbey Stadium after being left out of the first-team picture by Nigel Pearson following his loan stint at Shrewsbury Town last season. Bristol Live understands that there is no transfer fee involved for the forward but the Robins have inserted a high sell-on clause in the deal should be prove a success for the Us.
Janneh, who has been training with the Under-23s since returning for pre-season last week, had served notice of his departure earlier this week, posting an image on Snapchat of the Robins High Performance Centre with the message, “it has been a pleasure”.
Speaking to the Cambridge United website, he said: “I am very glad to be here. I feel like I am wanted. This is the best opportunity for me and I am happy to make a fresh start. I am ready and can't wait."
Once one of the brightest prospects in the City academy, after signing from Clevedon Town in 2018, Janneh has been unable to make the first-team breakthrough under Lee Johnson, Dean Holden and most recently Pearson and as the 22-year-old was entering the final year of his contract it made sense to move him on.
Ideally, the Robins would have recouped some kind of a transfer fee for him but EFL clubs - City included - remain focused on free transfers and loans and the concept of a League One club with a small budget paying money for a peripheral squad member, such as Janneh was at City, is not realistic in today's marketplace.
Janneh made 12 appearances in League One last season for Shrewsbury but was unable to hold down a starting role. His best season remains the 2018/19 campaign with Gary Johnson’s Torquay United where he struck 18 goals as they earned promotion from the National League South.
“Saikou has shown flashes of quality in recent seasons that have made us aware of him for some time,” said Cambridge head coach Mark Bonner. “He has lots of potential which we are looking forward to maximise and we look forward to helping him develop within our squad.
“Saikou adds good competition across the attacking line. He is comfortable both wide and centrally and is an excellent athlete.”
Janneh is the latest departure from Ashton Gate this summer after Callum O’Dowda, Kasey Palmer and Robbie Cundy, although in the case of the latter, Pearson would have liked to have kept him part of the squad. On Wednesday, former academy striker Louis Britton joined Cork City on a short-term deal following the expiry of his City contract.
There remain a number of first-team players who the Robins are actively looking to move on, in particular midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson - who has been exiled to the U23s - and defender Taylor Moore, while Zak Vyner’s future also looks uncertain but the 25-year-old could still be retained as a squad option if City are unable to bring in defensive cover in the market.
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